Decorating Your School or Learning Center for the Holidays

Whether it’s Halloween, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day, kids love to bedeck their classroom with their little decorations. They love plastering the hallways with their creative creations.

While it may seem like a fun but unnecessary activity, kids get a real sense of pride from displaying their holiday and seasonal artwork at school. When their work is showcased, they get a real sense of ownership of their school. When they’re given the opportunity to see and enjoy their artwork, or the work of their friends, they get a true sense of belonging. They see that they really are an important piece of the puzzle that is their school.

Because of religious diversity, some schools opt to simply decorate with general seasonal decor in the winter. You really have to know your community to know what’s acceptable and what’s just plain insensitive. The trick is to keep open communication with parents – if some parents are uncomfortable, find out what you can do to make them more comfortable. Parents appreciate being asked about their preferences because it’s a sign of respect for their values.

Some teachers like to buy fun exhibits and displays for their classroom walls or tables. It can be pricey to afford decor for every holiday, but you can get a bit creative and save some money at the same time. One option is to check periodically for used materials from other teachers or schools. Because there’s now an educational auction website on the Internet, teachers and schools can list their new or used items for free. And if you no longer need a holiday or seasonal exhibit at your school, you can list the item for free, too. Just think of what you can do with the money you make!

Decorating your school isn’t just a mindless activity – it really helps boost school spirit, which is a good thing for everyone. Who doesn’t want a little holiday cheer?